The Virtuous Wife

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Family: "Quality Time" is code for "too busy"

(scene: two chairs)
AMY -- (enters backward carrying clipboard) Come in, please. (points to chair) Have a seat.
LIZ -- (enters cautiously, looks around) Isn't that funny? I've worked in this company for ten years and I never noticed an office here before. (sits) What's this all about?
AMY -- (sits) You could call it a performance review.
LIZ -- Listen. I hate to be rude. But I've worked here for ten years and I've never seen you before. Who do you work for?
AMY -- The boss.
LIZ -- The boss.
AMY -- Yes, now... Would you say... (reading form on clipboard)
LIZ -- ...which boss? Pendleton or Collins?
AMY -- Higher than that.
LIZ -- Higher than that?
AMY -- Yes.
LIZ -- Oh.
AMY -- Yes, now... Would you say... (reading form on clipboard)
LIZ -- You work for the president?
AMY -- Actually, you could call me a consultant.
LIZ -- A consultant.
AMY -- Yes, now... Would you say... (reading form on clipboard)
LIZ -- Oh, please don't tell me the company is downsizing and they hired you to tell them who gets the axe!
AMY -- Oh, your job is quite safe.
LIZ -- That's what they all say.
AMY -- Excuse me?
LIZ -- That's what they all say. And then in your next pay envelope you get a pink slip.
AMY -- Oh, I assure you, your job is quite safe. Now... Would you say... (reading form on clipboard)
LIZ -- Then why am I here?
AMY -- I told you, I'm here to give you a performance review. Now... may we proceed? (points to clipboard)
LIZ -- Oh. Sure.
AMY -- (reads) Would you say that you spend more time with the customers you value than those you don't?
LIZ -- Yes, of course! Wait a minute is that a trick question? How do you want me to answer that?
AMY -- The truth is all I seek.
LIZ -- You're sure this is not about a lay off?
AMY -- I told you. Your job is not in danger. The truth. (points to clipboard)
LIZ -- The truth. Well, of course you spend more time with the more valued customers. That's how you keep them as customers.
AMY -- (reads) So, you'd say that the more you value a customer the more time you spend with him?
LIZ -- (tilts head, pauses) I thought I said that.
AMY -- (reads) Would you say that the more you value a customer, the more you talk to him?
LIZ -- Well, of course that's true. That's how you find out what the customer needs. The more you talk to him, the more you find his needs, the better you meet his needs the more you assure that he will remain a customer.
AMY -- (reads) Would you say that the more you value a customer the more you attend to the details in his account?
LIZ -- Yes. Yes. That's true too.
AMY -- (reads) Would you say that a customer senses how much you value him by the amount of time, conversation and attention to details you give to him?
LIZ -- Yes. That's all true.
AMY -- Is that true for your coworkers too?
LIZ -- Why? Did one of my coworkers complain about me?
AMY -- The truth.
LIZ -- The truth.
AMY -- Yes. The truth.
LIZ -- (tilts head, pauses) Yes. I think that's true for my relationships with everyone in the company.
AMY -- (reads) So, you'd say that the more you value a coworker the more time, conversation and attention to details you give to him?
LIZ -- (tilts head, pauses) Yes. Yes. I can honestly say that.
AMY -- (reads) And your children? Is the same true for them?
LIZ -- My children? What do my children have to do...
AMY -- The truth.
LIZ -- The truth.
AMY -- Yes. The truth.
LIZ -- Oh, alright. As a matter of fact, my children and I spend quality time together.
AMY -- Quality time.
LIZ -- Yes. Quality time.
AMY -- Isn't "quality time" just a code word meaning that you don't spend much time with your children?
LIZ -- I really don't see what this has to do...
AMY -- The truth.
LIZ -- The truth.
AMY -- Yes. The truth.
LIZ -- Oh, alright. I suppose I could spend more time with my children.
AMY -- The truth.
LIZ -- Alright. The truth is I don't spend as much time as I should with my children.
AMY -- (reads) Now, if your children were your customers, would they be satisfied with the time, conversation and attention to details you give them?
LIZ -- (sigh) No.
AMY -- (reads) Would you say that your children sense how much you value them by the amount of time, conversation and attention to details that you give them?
LIZ -- (sigh) Frankly, if my children were my customers, they would probably have gone over to the competition by now.
AMY -- (reads) What do you intend to do about it?
LIZ -- I suppose I should probably spend more time with them. I should talk to them more. I should spend more time finding out what they need and giving it to them. It's what I would do if they were a valued customer.... But... I just don't have time...
AMY -- The truth.
LIZ -- The truth.
AMY -- Yes. The truth.
LIZ -- (sigh) The truth is I have vacation coming that I keep putting off. The truth is I don't have to work late every night. The truth is I don't give my children time and conversation and attention to details even when I'm home. The truth is I don't treat my children like I value them. The truth is I'm going to change all that, starting right now! (stands) I'm going to take the rest of the day off and play with my kids.
AMY -- (stands) Good for you.
LIZ -- Oh. You didn't have any more questions for me did you?
AMY -- No. I think we've accomplished what we set out to accomplish.
LIZ -- Good. (turns to exit) I'll see you around. (turns) Oh, wait a minute. I probably won't see you around. You said you were a consultant.
AMY -- Yes.
LIZ -- What company did you say you worked for?
AMY -- Oh, I don't work for any company.
LIZ -- Well, who do you work for then?
AMY -- (looks up slowly, drawing Liz's gaze up too)
LIZ -- (looks up) Oh, wow!
AMY -- Well, you have work to do. You'd better get busy. (follows Liz to exit, then exits upstage of her unseen when Liz turns)
LIZ -- Oh, yes. I do have work to do. At home. (turns, moves toward exit) If I treated my children as well as I treat my customers and my coworkers I wouldn't need a... consultant... would I? Where did she go? (shrugs, exits)
-Bob Snook-

Father

I know I have failed my family Lord. Will you please forgive me and give me the chance and opportunity to make things right. Help me to give not just “quality time” but also “quantity time” to my children. I know I only have them for a short time. Thank you that you have entrusted them to me and for giving me a husband who desires to do this too and does all he can to make sure this happens. Amen.
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